Synod reports – Bulawayo, Ingwenya & Mbuma
Rev. S. Khumalo.
BULAWAYO
“Behold the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy” (Ps 33:18). This has been true of the Lord as we look back to the past year. The good hand of Providence is very clear to those that fear Him and trust in His mercy. As we come to another year in time, we have a reason to be thankful to the Most High that we have been preserved in the land of the living and in time of mercy, when others have been rushed to eternity.
The work of the gospel went on through the year unhindered, with services held every Sabbath day and weekly prayer meetings. Communions were held in June and December, with good attendance of both young and old. The December communion was a difficult one due to the loss by death of three members of the congregation that happened just before, during and soon after the end of the communion. We are thankful that the communion was not interrupted and all things proceeded well. We had a funeral worship in the morning on Thursday at the start of the communion and had two funerals on the Saturday after the communion season. The word of death was very loud and solemn, the Word of God confirming the miseries brought by sin and death confirming the results thereof. It is our prayer that the Lord may bless these things by His grace to make us understand that we are pilgrims in this world and the necessity of our need for the Saviour, so that when our time comes, we would be enabled to be found at peace with Him.
In June, we were pleased to have two young men from our congregations in New Zealand among us: John Campbell and Aaron Verheij. It was an encouragement to us as a congregation, and the bond made with our young people in the congregation. In November, we were pleased to have Deputies from Scotland: Rev J B Jardine and Dr R J Dickie. This was a welcome visit, and they helped with the supply in our various congregations, including Bulawayo. Mr Jardine supplied at Lobengula, and the congregation appreciated the supply. Their visit to Thembiso Children’s Home was much
appreciated.
Our challenges include (but are not limited to) the bad roads, which make travelling a challenge, especially now in the rainy season. This results in a huge strain on the vehicles, which require constant repairs. Despite all this, with the help from the Lord, all the 14 communions we had in the year were held. I am thankful to the elders and professing men who have helped to keep the doors to the house of the Lord open in my absence. Our prayer is that the Lord would send more labourers into His harvest.
In September, the Men’s Theological Conference was held at Lobengula church in Bulawayo and was well attended, despite the transport and logistical challenges. The Youth Conference was held in December and was also well attended. We pray that the Lord would bless all these efforts.
“Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the post of My doors. For whoso findeth Me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the Lord” (Prov 8:34,35).
Ingwenya
Ingwenya has been vacant for some time, and I am the Interim Moderator. As we reflect on the past year, we do so with thankfulness to the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever. The work of the Gospel still continues. The privilege of the gospel is available to all who attend the means of grace at the church on Sabbath and weekday prayer meetings. Communions are held twice a year at Ingwenya and once at Cameron in Mbembesi, a Xhosa-speaking community. There are three preaching stations under Ingwenya: Cameron, Gadadi and Insiza.
There are three elders: Mr S Ncub at Ingwenya, who has not been well for some time, Mr P Mzamo at Cameron, and Mr H Ntakana at Insiza. Mr B. Ncube is an assessor elder for Ingwenya and assists in Mr S Ncube’s absence. In all these preaching stations, services are held every Sabbath. In November, we had a visit by Deputies from Scotland, who were both based at Ingwenya. During their stay, they supplied both Ingwenya and Cameron, and we are very thankful for that. Rev Jardine also administered baptism to a young lady during his time here. In September, two young men were accepted for membership.
The congregation was not spared by death either. It is solemn how the children of men are quickly rushed to eternity so suddenly, proving how short our time in this world is.
Large-print psalm books were received from the Publications Committee and were distributed to the congregation, especially the elderly and those with eyesight problems. Additionally, the Manual of the Practice of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland was printed locally and given to all office bearers in the congregation. Ndebele Bibles were also distributed where there was a need.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7).
Mbuma
“But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This was fulfilled when the witness of the gospel spread from Scotland to Africa and reached Ingwenya, extended to Nkayi, Mbuma, Zenka, and the Shangani forest. The witness of the gospel continues uninterrupted in Mbuma and its many preaching stations, scattered from Gwampa valley to the south and Shangani River to the north. Mbuma has been without a resident Minister since the passing of Rev N Sibanda.
Services are held every Sabbath and at a weekday prayer meeting. In instances where there is no one to supply, services are alternated. There are two communions held at Mbuma. At Somakantane, due to the collapse of the church building, the communion services normally held there were suspended, and we hope they will continue to be held once repairs are made, as efforts are made to rebuild the church building. Mbuma has the largest number of preaching stations in Zimbabwe and, as such, during communions, the church building has proved to be small and has necessitated the need to extend it. One would think that since there has been no resident Minister, gospel work would slow down, but that has not been so. We have seen that it is “not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord” (Zec 4:6). During the Communions held in April and October, the church building could not accommodate everyone and, as such, a tent was pitched just outside to accommodate all who came. We are thankful to the JFMC and its partners for the approval and financing of the projects applied for by the Deacons’ Court, which were the construction of the Mbuma toilets and Gambakalala church.
Large-print psalm books were received from the Publications Committee and were distributed to the congregation, especially the elderly and those with eyesight problems. Additionally, the Manual of the Practice of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland was printed locally and given to all office bearers in the congregation. Ndebele Bibles were also distributed where there was a need. A total of three Elders and three Deacons were ordained in the congregation.
All this work of the gospel could not be done without the dedication of Elders and professing men who help to keep the doors to the house of the Lord open. We are also thankful to the Mbuma Hospital and School management, who ensure that these institutions continue being handmaids of the Gospel. Above all, we need labourers sent by the Lord of the harvest as our duty is made clear. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest” (Matt 9:38).